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The 2008 NBA Draft

July 1st 2008 03:49

I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.

This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.

# 2

Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.

# 3

Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.

# 4

Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.

# 5

Care of NBADraft.net

Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.

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Five Players to Watch in the New NBA Season.

November 8th 2007 10:01

With the second week of the new season underway, now would

Josh Smith can soar like a hawk! (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

seem an appropriate time to forecast who is going to have a breakout year. The beginning of the new NBA campaign sees the same familiar names pop out, but there are a handful of players that seem to come out of nowhere and have career years, or enter into wider public consciousness.

For instance, last season saw the emergence of Luol Deng, and Al Jefferson, develop to potential All-Star calibre players. Even Gilbert Arenas could have been deemed to have a breakout year due to the higher public consciousness that was afforded to Hibachi.

Any readers familiar with this site would know that we here at NBALOUD like to do things in groups of fives. So, without further ado, we present the five players that fans should look out for, and give out much more love to than they are receiving, thus far.

Josh Smith – Atlanta Hawks

Yes, we are all familiar with both the mad athleticism and hops that this young fella possesses. However, do you also know that Smith has become a more mature player? No? Well, let us inform you dear, reader, as to why.

Joe Johnson might be the number one option in Hot-lanta, but as the alpha Hawk succumbed to injury last season, Joshua took the reigns of the team and more than lived up to expectations.

As the go-to-guy, Smith began to play more intelligent basketball by not settling for long-range jumpers and instead attacked the basket with vigour. Using his obvious physical talents, Josh was able to capitalise on his advantage, and as a consequence became a more dangerous player. His passing game has also come around nicely as well.

Now, that, Johnson is back, Smith has to refine his game once again but if he continues to develop in the way that he did last season, watch out. An All-Star game berth isn’t too far of a stretch.

Andre Iguodala – Philadelphia 76ers

As Allen Iverson bid adieu to Philly, many people were wondering where on earth is the next Sixers top gun? Look no further than, Andre Iguodala.

For so long, ‘Dre flew under the radar in Philly, but once AI left for the Rockies, Ig, took the team leadership by the scruff of the neck and bestowed himself the label of ‘Caesar’ for the Sixers.

Obviously, playing for a horrendous team helps with Andre’s numbers. However, what is often forgotten is that he is a great defender, explosive offensive threat, and a decent passer to boot. Some consistency is needed for Iguodala to make further strides, but watch out for him to make some All-Star noise in the years to come.

Gerald Wallace – Charlotte Bobcats

What on earth does Gerald Wallace have to do to get some attention? Yes, he plays for a small market team. Yes, he balls for a team that has had a dire history. But, what the hell? Wallace should be an All-Star!

G-Money is a righteous scorer that is a deadly one-on-one player with a mad jumper! What’s more, before, Jason Richardson came to town, Wallace was the only option amongst a group of collegiate All-Stars!

Once again vote for this guy to go to New Orleans this year!

LaMarcus Aldridge – Portland Trail Blazers

Well, LaMarcus Aldridge has arguably got his fair share of attention already on the account

Ronny Turiaf is a bundle of energy for the Lakers. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

that he does his work for the Blazers. With, Brandon Roy and Greg Oden on the squad though, LaMarcus would be hard pressed to get some ink. But as the theme of this post would suggest: why shouldn’t Aldridge get his due?

The Portland big man is a straight up playah! Yes, he is a good player, but what we’re saying here is that, LaMarcus is a playah! With silky offensive skills and a hardnosed approach on the defensive end, Aldridge and Oden would figure to become the potential new twin towers for a decade or so to come.

Ronny Turiaf – Los Angeles Lakers

Perhaps the most impressive revelation for the Lake Show has been the play of Ronny Turiaf. NBALOUD was mightily impressed with the energy and enthusiasm from the man and has become a big fan.

A sparkplug that can score, play defence, and has a nose for the boards, Ronny has become an invaluable component for the Los Angeles team.

Yes, it may still be, Kobe Bryant’s team, but the Lakers aren’t nearly as bad as people portray them to be. The real question really should be: Is Kobe as good as everyone says?

Today's video shows off Josh Smith in all his glory.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats

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Larry Bird and Dominque Wilkins Classic 1988 Playoff Duel.

July 17th 2007 09:45

For many the golden age of NBA basketball was in the 1980s when

Dominique Wilkins was the bomb! (Image from nba.com)

the league managed to catch lightening in a bottle and have many great talents all playing at the same time – Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and of course the irrepressible Michael Jordan. It was a wonderful time for hoops lovers and why wouldn’t you dig it sucka?

In the 80s the basketball was free flowing, jive talking and high scoring! In essence the NBA was fan-tastic.

The aforementioned names are the ones who receive the most love from hoops historians and fans because they made the NBA what it is today. As great as this group of guys are, there is often one named that has been constantly overlooked when talking about this period – Dominique Wilkins.

People forget that some of the most memorable moments in the 80s involved ‘The Human Highlight Film’ who not only dunked the ball with style and grace, but was also a skilful basketball player in his own right. ‘Nique was alright, and it is about time he got some NBALOUD love.

There are many moments of posterity involving the dunk-a-licious one from the dirty south, but there is one game which defined his career.

What game are we talking about? Try the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Game 7, against the storied Boston Celtics, led by the badass himself, Larry Bird.

‘Nique and Larry Legend engaged in one of the most remarkable shootouts in NBA history and this is how it all went down.

For all intents and purposes basketball is a team game, but perhaps unlike any other team sport on earth, a talented individual could lift a team on the sheer force of his personality and game. In this Game 7 semi-final it was two superstars who found something else deep within themselves in reaching a level of basketball brilliance that cannot be obtained by mere mortals – both were in the zone.

Boston were heavy favourites and won the first two games with relative ease, but the underdog Atlanta Hawks came roaring back taking the next three to find themselves in the enviable position to knock off the Larry Bird led Celtics. It wasn’t to be, with Game 6 going the

Never discount the hick from French Lick. (Image from nba.com)

way of the Celts.

The stage was set for a do or die Game 7 where two teams enter, and one team leaves. What better stage than the old Boston Garden? Now, all we needed was the star performers to play the parts of their lives.

Larry Legend and The Human Highlight Film wouldn’t disappoint.

"It was like two gunfighters waiting to blink," recalled Celtics forward Kevin McHale. "There was one stretch that was as pure a form of basketball as you're ever going to see." (NBA.com)

With roughly ten minutes to play in the game both teams were tied at 86-86 when the opposing superstars decided to take the reins of the game and shake the basketball loving world to its core.

Bird started the proceedings with a quick basket, and decided to go on a nine point scoring binge in just under two minutes of basketball. Atlanta stayed close though with Wilkins tying the game at 99-99 with roughly six minutes left.

Both men were not only guarding one another, but bringing out the best in each other as well. It was pure basketball poetry with Wilkins stating: “I was making all kinds of baskets that night. I pulled out everything I had in that game. I was making slam dunks, short-range jumpers, transition baskets, baskets off offensive rebounds, tip-ins, everything. It was just one of those games where I was able to take everything to a higher level.

Unfortunately, so did Bird. The game really reached a fever pitch in the fourth quarter. He ended up scoring 20 in the fourth and I had just about that many. This was the biggest game I had ever played in. Neither one of us wanted to lose.” (O’Donnell, Basketball Digest, 2002)

The level of basketball on display was something to behold, and after Wilkins tying the game at 99-99, Bird went on another rampage, scoring 11 points, including a stunning 3-point basket over Wilkins with a minute and a half left of game time. Guess what? Wilkins matched Bird’s efforts as well, point for point in the same period.

Hot-lanta was down three points with a second left in the game, and ‘Nique was on the free throw line. This situation turned out to be a major problem for the Hawks because even if Wilkins made his second free throw, Atlanta would still be down by one.

After sinking his first free throw, Wilkins intentionally missed the second, while probably praying to the heavens for an Atlanta rebound.

Sadly, for Atlanta and the basketball loving public, the rebound was safely corralled by the Celtics and they went on to fight another day.

Wilkins top scored with an out of this world 19-of-23 shooting performance to end the game with 47 points. Meanwhile, Larry Legend had 34 points for the night, 20 of those points coming in that magical final period.

Do we really need to say what video clip is associated with this post? Didn’t think so.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: The Playoffs, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics

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